EUROPEAN NATIONS CUP: The Big Clash!

10.03.2012
Georgia v Romania in Bucharest (ENC 1A)

Venue: Stadionul National Arcul de Triumf

Referee: J.P.Doyle (England)

	P	W	D	L	PF	PA	DIFF	BT	BL	PT
GEORGIA	7	6	0	1	208	67	141	2	1	27
ROMANIA	7	5	0	2	206	76	130	3	2	25
SPAIN	7	4	0	3	156	199	-53	2	1	19
PORTUGAL	8	3	0	5	159	168	-9	2	2	16
RUSSIA	7	3	0	4	133	155	-22	1	2	14
UKRAINE	6	0	0	6	67	266	-199	0	0	0

Preview
This is without a doubt the clash of the European Nations Cup Division 1A competition. Bucharest is the place to be this Saturday. Both sides are fielded strong combinations, Georgia in particular have named their strongest side so far this year.

It is most likely that the winner of this game will take out the 2011-12 championship title. These two teams met in the 2011 Rugby World Cup. I saw that game in Palmerston North. Georgia won comfortably but they also had a much stronger team than this.

Playing on home soil again this season, Romania look to have a very strong side. The selected side looks to be a well balanced..

Georgia has recalled a number of experienced players (although they are without Khinchagishvili, Bregvadze, Peikrishvili, Zirakashvili, Jgenti, Datunashvili and Maisuradze, most likely to French club commitments).Still, the strength of the side emphasises the respect Georgia has for Romania.

It will be a cracker!

Antim Cup. The symbol of supremacy between Georgia and Romania.

Image thanks to http://www.fira-aer-rugby.com/forum2007/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4010&start=0

Last Five Encounters
28.09.2011 Georgia 25-9 in Palmerston North (World Cup, Pool B)
12.03.2011 Georgia 18-11 in Tbilisi (ENC 1A, Antim Cup)
13.03.2010 Romania 22-10 in Bucharest (WCQ Eur. R5; ENC 1, Antim Cup)
14.03.2009 Georgia 28-23 in Tbilisi (WCQ Eur. R5; ENC 1, Antim Cup)
09.02.2008 Georgia 22-7 in Tbilisi (ENC 1; Antim Cup)

Georgia last won in Bucharest in February 2007.

Georgia Last Five
25.02.2012 v Portugal W 22-7 in Tbilisi (ENC 1A)
11.02.2012 v Spain L 18-25 in Madrid (ENC 1A)
02.10.2011 v Argentina L 7-25 in Palmerston North (World Cup, Pool B)
28.09.2011 v Romania W 25-6 in Palmerston North (World Cup, Pool B)
18.09.2011 v England L 10-41 in Dunedin (World Cup, Pool B)

Romania Last Five
25.02.2012 v Russia W 25-0 in Sochi (ENC 1A)
04.02.2012 v Portugal W 15-7 in Bucharest (ENC 1A)
28.09.2011 v Georgia W 25-9 in Palmerston North (World Cup, Pool B)
24.09.2011 v England L 3-67 in Dunedin (World Cup, Pool B)
17.09.2011 v Argentina L 8-43 in Invercargill (World Cup, Pool B)

GWC Rugby Rankings
World Table: Georgia 17th, Romania 19th
Europe Table: Georgia 8th, Romania 9th

IRB Ranking Points
Georgia 69.32, Romania 65.79

Prediction
Georgia is not as strong as the side that last played Romania at the 2011 Rugby World Cup. It will be a close game with Romania fighting all the way but in the end Georgia to win by 5 points.

Teams

Romania

15		Iulian Dumitras	Lourdes, France
14		Madalin Lemnaru	Universitatea de Vest Timisoara
13		Csaba Gal	CSM Baia Mare
12		Cristian Dinis	CSM Baia Mare
11		Adrian Apostol	RC Farul Constanța
10		Florin Vlaicu	Steaua Bucharesti
9		Valentin Calafeteanu	Universitatea de Vest Timisoara
8		Daiel Carpo	Universitatea de Vest Timisoara
7		Viorel Lucaci	Steaua Bucharesti
6		Mihai Macovei	CSM Baia Mare
5		Cristian Petre	St. Ettienne, France
4		Valentin Ursache	Aix en Provance, France
3		Paulica Ion	London Welsh, England
2		Marius Tincu (Capt.)	Perpignan, France
1		Mihaita Lazar	Aix en Provance, France
16		Andrei Radoi	CSM Baia Mare
17		Andrei Ursache	CSM Baia Mare
18		Alin Coste	Bourg en Bresse, France
19		Andrei Gorcioaia	Castelsarrasin, France
20		Florin Surugiu	CSM Bucaresti
21		Constantin Gheara	RC Farul Constanța
22		Dorin Manole	Ortez, France
		Haralambie Dumitras (Coach)

Georgia

15		Giorgi Shkinin	Armia
14		Irakli Machkhaneli	Saint Etienne, France
13		David Kacharava	Nice, France
12		Merab Sharikadze	Gloucester, England
11		Alexander Todua	Lelo
10		Merab Kvirikashvili	St. Junien, France
9		Irakli Abuselidze (Capt.)	Auxerre, France
8		Mamuka Gorgodze	Montpellier, France
7		Viktor Kolelishvili	Clermont Ferrand, France
6		Shalva Sutiashvili	Massy, France
5		Giorgi Nemsadze	Valance d' Agen, France
4		Giorgi Chkhaidze	Saint Etienne, France
3		Davit Kubriashvili	Toulon, France
2		Irakli Natriashvili	Brive, France
1		Vasil Kakovin	Brive, France
16		Rezo Belkania	La Seyne, France
17		Mikheil Nariashvili	Montpellier, France
18		Dimitri Basilaia	Edinburgh Rugby, Scotland
19		Givi Berishvili	Lokomotive
20		Giorgi Begadze	Kochebi
21		Tedo Zibzibadze	Perigueux, France
22		Lasha Malaguradze	Rhone, France
		COACH: Richard Dixon